Class 10 Social Part 3 (A) Political Science Chapter 1 Indian Democracy
Are you searching for SEBA Class 10 Social Part 3 (A) Political Science Chapter 1 Indian Democracy? If yes, then you are in the right place. This article provides complete notes, textbook solutions, important questions and answers, and exam-oriented study materials for Class 10 students.
This chapter explains the concept of Indian Democracy, its fundamental principles, features, and importance in the governance of India. Students will learn about the democratic system of the country, the Constitution, universal adult franchise, elections, political parties, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. The chapter also highlights how democracy promotes equality, justice, freedom, and public participation in the decision-making process.
All notes and solutions are written in simple and easy-to-understand English, helping students grasp the concepts quickly and prepare effectively for examinations. These study materials are highly useful for class tests, annual examinations, and the HSLC board examination.
Part-III: (A) Political Science
Indian Democracy
Selected Questions &Answers
Very Short Answer Type Questions (Mark-1)
1. In which year did the British Government send the Cabinet Mission to India?
Ans: In March 1946.
2. In which year was the Sarkaria Commission formed?
Ans: In 1983.
3. When was the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly formed?
Ans: On 29 August 1947.
4. In which year was the Indian National Congress founded?
Ans: In 1885.
5. Is there a system of dual citizenship in India?
Ans: No.
6. What was the total number of members in the Cabinet Mission?
Ans: Three.
7. How many sessions of the Constituent Assembly were held for framing the Constitution?
Ans: 11 sessions but 165 settings.
8. From which Latin word is the English word “Federation” derived?
Ans: From the Latin word ‘Foedus.’
9. Which country is called the ‘home of federation’?
Ans: The United States of America.
10. Does India have a system of dual citizenship?
Ans: No.
11. From which country’s constitution was the concept of parliamentary democracy in India borrowed?
Ans: From the Constitution of England.
12. Which Act introduced the federal system in India?
Ans: The Government of India Act, 1935.
13. What was the total number of members in the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly?
Ans: 7 members.
14. What is the meaning of the word ‘Foedus’?
Ans: Treaty or agreement.
15. Who presided over the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly? HSLC ’18
Ans: Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha.
16. Was Jawaharlal Nehru a member of the Drafting Committee? HSLC’19
Ans: No.
17. Which party won the elections held in England in 1945?
Ans: The Labour Party.
18. Who was the first President of the Constituent Assembly?
Ans: Sachchidananda Sinha.
Note: He was the temporary President. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the permanent President.
19. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
Ans: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
20. By which amendment were the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ inserted in the Preamble?
Ans: By the 42nd Amendment.
Short Answer Type Questions (Marks-2)
1. What is meant by ‘Sovereign’?
Ans: ‘Sovereign’ means supreme power. In political terms, it means that acountry is not under the control of any external power and is internally independent as well.
2. By which amendment and in which year were the words ‘Socialist’and ‘Secular’ inserted in the Preamble?
Ans: In 1976, by the 42nd Amendment of the Indian Constitution, the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were inserted into the Preamble.
3. Which Act introduced a limited parliamentary system in colonial India?
Ans: The Government of India Act, 1935 introduced a limited parliamentary system in colonial India.
4. Why did the British Government send the Cabinet Mission to India? HSLC ’22
Ans: The British Government sent the Cabinet Mission to India in March 1946 to create the necessary conditions and framework for framing a Constitution for India.
5. From 15 August 1947 to 25 January 1950, on the basis of which Act was India governed and who prepared that Act?
Ans: During this period, India was governed under the Government of India Act, 1935. This Act was prepared by the British Parliament.
6. Why is the phrase ‘We, the people of India’ mentioned in the Preamble?
Ans: The phrase indicates that the Constitution has been created by the people of India. It emphasizes that the ultimate authority lies with the people.
7. What is meant by ‘Quasi-federal state’?
Ans: A quasi-federal state is one which has a federal structure but unitary features in practice. India is an example of such a state.
Essay-type Question-Answers
1. Explain the terms ‘Sovereign’, ‘Socialist’, ‘Secular’, ‘Democratic ’, and ‘Republic’.
Or
Why is India called a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic? HSLC ’20
Or
Briefly explain how the ideals of the Constitution are reflected in the Preamble. HSLC ’22
Ans: The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India as a ‘Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic’. These terms have special significance:
Sovereign: It means India is internally and externally independent and not under the control of any foreign power.
Socialist: It implies social and economic equality among people, reduction of inequalities, and equitable distribution of national resources.
Secular: It means the state does not favor any religion and all citizens have the freedom to practice, profess and propagate their religion.
Democratic: It means the government is formed by elected representatives of the people and is accountable to them.
Republic: It means the head of the state is elected and not hereditary.
2. What is parliamentary democracy? Write the main differences between the parliamentary democracy of India and that of England. HSLC’19
Ans: Parliamentary democracy is a system of government in which the administration of a country is carried out by representatives elected by the people. There are some differences between Indian and British parliamentary democracy:
(a) India is a republic, whereas England is not. In England, the head of state is a hereditary monarch (King/Queen), but in India, the President is elected indirectly.
(b) The structure and powers of the upper house (Rajya Sabha) in India differ from the House of Lords in England.
(c) The British Parliament is more powerful, whereas the Indian Parliament is comparatively less powerful.
3. Discuss the features of the federal system of India.
Or
Is India a federation like the United States of America? Explain. HSLC’20
Ans: In a federal system of government, powers are distributed between the central government and the state governments in such a way that both can function independently within their respective spheres. The main features of the Indian federal system are as follows:
(a) Written Constitution: One of the important features of the Indian federation is that it has a written Constitution. The Constitution clearly defines the distribution of powers between the central and state governments and determines their respective jurisdictions.
(b) Bicameral Legislature: India has a bicameral legislature at the centre. One is called the Upper House and the other the Lower House. The Lower House is formed by representatives of the people, while the Upper House is formed by representatives of the states.
(c) Federal Judiciary: In a federation, there is an independent judiciary which acts as the guardian of the Constitution. It interprets the Constitution and settles disputes between the centre and the states.
(d) Dual Government: In a federal system, there are two levels of government—the central government and the state governments. In India, both these forms of government exist.
(e) Division of Powers: In a federal system, powers are divided between the centre and the states. Each government functions independently within its prescribed domain.
(f) Dual Citizenship: Another feature of a federation is dual citizenship, where citizens are citizens of both the country and the state. However, although India is called a federation, it does not have dual citizenship.
(g) State Constitutions: In a federation, states may have their own constitutions in addition to the national Constitution. However, in India, the states do not have the power to frame their own constitutions (except special historical cases like Jammu and Kashmir before 2019).
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Q. Who was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly?
(a) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(c) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
(d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Ans: (b)
Q. In 1976, through which amendment were three important words added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution? HSLC ’23
(a) Sovereign, Republic, Unity
(b) Socialist, Republic, Unity
(c) Democratic, Republic, Unity
(d) Secular, Socialist, Unity
Ans: (d)
Q. Which party won the elections held in England in 1945?
(a) Ruling Party
(b) Labour Party
(c) Cabinet Mission
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Q. When was the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly held?
(a) 8 December 1945
(b) 8 December 1946
(c) 9 December 1946
(d) 9 December 1945
Ans: (c)
Q. From which country’s constitution was the concept of parliamentary democracy in India borrowed?
(a) USA
(b) British Constitution
(c) Africa
(d) China
Ans: (b)
Q. Name the country which has dual citizenship.
(a) India
(b) Japan
(c) China
(d) USA
Ans: (d)
Q. Who presided over the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly?
(a) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
(b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(c) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Ans: (a)
Q. Which of the following was not a member of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?
(a) N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
(b) K. M. Munshi
(c) Jawaharlal Nehru
(d) D. P. Khaitan
Ans: (b)
Q. Which word was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment in1976?
(a) Sovereign
(b) Democratic
(c) Republic
(d) Socialist
Ans: (d)
Q. In which year did India gain independence?
(a) 1947
(b) 1945
(c) 1757
(d) 1986
Ans: (a)
Q. The Indian Constitution is of which type?
(a) Rigid Constitution
(b) Flexible Constitution
(c) Both rigid and flexible
(d) None of these
Ans: (c)
Q. The President of India appoints the Chairman of the North Eastern Council from among—
(a) Chief Ministers
(b) Governors
(c) Finance Ministers
(d) Chief Secretaries
Ans: (b)
Q. Who presided over the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly?
(a) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(b) N. Gopalaswami
(c) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
(d) Syed Muhammad Saadulla
Ans: (c)
Q. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(c) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Ans: (c)
Q. How many Houses are there in the Indian Parliament?
(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 4
Ans: (b)
Q. When did the British Government send the Cabinet Mission to India?
(a) March 1945
(b) March 1946
(c) March 1947
(d) March 1948
Ans: (b)
Q. How many sessions were held to frame the Constitution of India?
(a) 9
(b) 10
(c) 11
(d) 12
Ans: (c)
